1989 Gibson Les Paul Pre-Historic '59 Flame Top Reissue
SN# 9 0755
Weight: 9 lbs 6 oz's
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: 0.82
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: 0.96
Nut Width: 1.66

Upgraded Gibson '57 Classic PAF PU's

& 50's Cloth Wiring w Emerson Bumble Bee Tone Caps (Original Pots)

Original Bill Lawrence Circuit Board PU's & Tone Caps Are included

Comes with Original Hard Case (pictured)

Check Out the Demo Video!

*** It has just been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. It has low action with no buzzing. The frets are dressed, leveled and polished and shine like new, it is truly stage or studio ready/worthy. (Including New Strings,  Intonation, Truss Rod adjustment and Action)

Read our feedback and rest assured that The Dude Abides. 

Step into the golden era of rock ‘n’ roll with this mesmerizing and upgraded 1989 Gibson Pre-Historic ‘59 Flame Top Les Paul – a fiery reissue that captures the soul-shaking essence of the legendary 1959 original, delivering the visual allure and sonic thunder every true Gibson aficionado dreams of chasing. This isn’t just a guitar; it’s a timeless masterpiece of classic perfection, crowned with a KILLER flame top that dances with hypnotic depth and intensity, drawing you in like a siren’s call from the stage lights.

Crafted during the electrifying 1989 run – a banner year marking the 30th Anniversary of the iconic Les Paul lineage – this beauty harks back to pure authenticity by reviving the original ‘59 serial number scheme, before Gibson’s Custom Shop era dawned and formalized the “R9” reissue label. Dubbed the “Les Paul ‘59 Pre-Historic,” it stands as a rare artifact from that pivotal pre-Custom Shop period, produced in tantalizingly limited quantities that make it a holy grail for discerning collectors. Owning one isn’t just possession; it’s preserving a slice of guitar history that’s as elusive as it is exhilarating.

Behold the non-chambered mahogany body, a solid powerhouse that resonates with unbridled warmth and sustain, enveloped in flames so profound and multidimensional they seem to leap off the surface from every vantage point – a visual feast of curling, swirling maple that ignites under the spotlight. The Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish has gracefully aged like a fine vintage wine, its sun-kissed hues fading ever so subtly while retaining a vibrant, ruby-red glow that pulses with life and legacy.

Slide your fingers along the neck, starting with a sleek, slender profile that invites lightning-fast runs, gradually thickening for that reassuring ‘59 chunkiness as you venture higher – a ergonomic dream that’s effortlessly comfortable, begging for endless hours of riffing and soloing. The fretboard, a lush expanse of deep chocolate-brown rosewood, feels like velvet under your touch, while the original factory frets boast ample life left, freshly crowned, dressed, and polished to a mirror-like sheen that glides like silk. And for the perfect playability? It’ll arrive professionally set up with your choice of string gauge, tuned to your personal shredding symphony.

At the heart of this beast roar a pair of Gibson '57 Classics PAF Humbuckers – Gibson’s legendary pickups – dishing out vintage inspired and voiced magic that’s as versatile as your wildest musical whims. Helpig to sweeten the load, We installed two brand new Emmerson "Bumble Bee" Paper in Oil Tone Caps that add all the neccesarry MOJO to take this thing over the top with stage or studio worthy tone. The original little ceramic caps and Bill Lawrence Designed "circuit board" Super Humbuckers are included. Whether you’re channeling bluesy bends, crunchy rock rhythms, or soaring leads across any genre, these coils deliver a kaleidoscope of tones: fat and growling lows, crystalline highs, and a midrange punch that cuts through the mix like a hot knife through butter.

In terms of condition, this battle-tested warrior wears its history with pride – very good pre-owned shape after years of passionate play, complete with the authentic buckle worming and road-worn marks that tell tales of countless gigs and jam sessions. Yet, the top remains a pristine canvas, virtually untouched by time, free from major dings, dents, or scratches, and boasting zero breaks or repairs for uncompromised integrity. It arrived sporting modern Grovers, but we’ve swapped them for vintage-style Kluson Deluxe tuners to restore that golden-age aesthetic, keeping everything else gloriously original with no mods in sight. The back and sides bear the brunt of the adventure, featuring a couple of subtle chips along the rear edge and those classic buckle impressions (more noticeable at an angle than head-on) – badges of honor that add character without stealing the show. Dive into the photos to see this stunner in all its glory.

Don’t let this Pre-Historic powerhouse slip through your fingers – it’s not just an instrument; it’s your ticket to unleashing the raw, unfiltered spirit of ’59 Les Paul magic. Grab it now and make history your own!

A 1989 Gibson Les Paul Pre-Historic Flametop Reissue features a mahogany body with a flame maple top, a mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard, and a 1959-style profile. Specifications include Bill Lawrence-designed humbucker pickups, a Tune-O-Matic bridge and stop tailpiece, nickel hardware, and 22 frets. The finish was commonly a sunburst variant, and the guitar often weighed around 9-10 pounds.

Specs

Body and neck

Body: Solid mahogany with a flame maple top

Neck: Mahogany with a 1959 profile

Fretboard: Rosewood with trapezoid inlays

Scale Length: 24.75 inches

Frets: 22

Neck Construction: Set-neck

Hardware and electronics

Pickups: Have been upgraded to Gibson '57 Classics, the Bill Lawrence-designed humbuckers (often referred to as "circuit board" humbuckers) are in the case

Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way toggle switch

Bridge: Tune-O-Matic with a stop tailpiece

Tuners: Vintage-style Gibson Deluxe

Hardware: Nickel

Nut Width: Approximately 42.22mm (1.66 inches)

Dimensions and weight

Weight: Typically between 9.5 to 10.5 pounds

Neck Depth at 1st Fret: Around 20.75mm or 0.82 inches

Neck Depth at 12th Fret: Around 24.45mm or 0.96 inches

Finish and case

Finish: Heritage Cherry Sunburst

Case: Original Gibson hard case

This guitar has been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. Unless otherwise noted in the listing, It features low action with no buzzing or dead spots, perfect intonation, a brand-new set of American-made strings, and a straight neck with a fully functional truss rod. If needed the frets have been leveled, dressed, crowned, and polished to a mirror shine. The fingerboard has been thoroughly cleaned (unfinished rosewood and ebony boards are treated with Fret Doctor, a premium all-natural oil). All electronics function flawlessly. The guitar has been deep-cleaned and detailed and arrives stage- or studio-ready. 

About The Guitar Dude 

Three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer worldwide. Specializing in premium Gibson, classic Fender guitars from all eras and the best Japanese made treasures. Known for the highest-quality consignment sales and custom layaway plans (available on select guitars and extendable beyond 45 days to fit your budget—contact us for details).  

Often copied, never duplicated. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for beautiful guitar content. Like what you see? Let us go to work for you. @TheGuitarDude

Our Guarantee  

We stand behind every guitar we sell. “Good enough” is never good enough. Every instrument is inspected, set up, and tested by multiple people immediately before shipping. We deliver the highest standard of quality and have built a reputation as a three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer since 2009. The Dude Abides.  

Neck & Setup - (unless otherwise noted)

- Neck is perfectly straight with no truss-rod issues. 

- Intonation is spot-on.  

- Professionally set up with low action and new American-made strings.  

- All frets are dressed, leveled, crowned (if needed), and all frets on all guitars are polished to shine like new with no divots.  

Return Policy, Restocking Fees & No Tire-Kicking Policy 

We follow Reverb’s 7-day return policy. However:  

- You must notify us in writing within 3 days of delivery (per tracking) of your intent to return.  

- Original shipping and return shipping costs are not refunded unless the guitar is damaged in transit or is significantly not as described.  

- A 15% restocking fee applies to all returns for any reason other than damage in transit or significantly not as described.  

We record demo videos of every guitar before shipping to document exact condition and performance. Additional photos, measurements, or in-hand descriptions are available upon request prior to purchase.  

Minor adjustments and tweaks to a set up (for example to correct a slight buzz or truss-rod tweak) are normal after shipping due to carrier mishandling the package, climate & atmospheric changes, especially when moving from South Florida to colder or less humid environments. These slight issues do not constitute “significantly not as described.” Guitars must be returned in the exact same condition as received/advertised or additional repair/restocking fees will apply.  

We are a small business, not a big-chain retailer. We invest significant time and effort into every guitar. This is a NO TIRE-KICKING shop. There is no post purchase haggling or partial refunds. If minor cosmetic marks, tiny imperfections, or the possibility of a post-shipping setup tweak makes you uncomfortable, please do not buy. Plenty of large retailers offer free trials and can absorb shipping costs—we do not.  

Payment, Shipping & International Duties  

- All items can be shipped internationally. Buyer is fully responsible for all import duties, taxes, and customs fees.  

- We accept PayPal, PayPal Credit, Affirm, and other major payment methods.  

- Most U.S. shipments are sent via UPS or FedEx with full insurance, tracking, and signature confirmation. All packages are professionally packed for maximum protection.  

International Shipping Note 

International shipping prices shown are for most countries. Certain countries have higher costs. We try and avoid USPS and mostly ship UPS. Express services (UPS, DHL, FedEx) are always available. Contact us for a personalized quote.  

Thank you for considering The Guitar Dude. We look forward to earning your business and delivering a guitar that exceeds your expectations. Contact us anytime for questions, consignment inquiries, layaway details, or a personalized shipping quote.